Sustainability > Weatherization

THE SECRETARY OF THE
INTERIOR’S STANDARDS FOR
REHABILITATION &

ILLUSTRATED
GUIDELINES ON
SUSTAINABILITY
FOR REHABILITATING
HISTORIC BUILDINGS

  • Detail of a plaster wall, wood door trim, and a wood door showing the relationship to each other.
    Not Recommended The original proportion and relationship of the wall to the door trim has been all but lost because the gypsum board installed was too thick.
  • Front door of a house covered by plastic and with a fan in the lower part of the door, in preparation for a blower door test.
    Recommended A blower door test is a useful tool to help identify air infiltration in a historic building before undertaking weatherization or retrofit treatments. Photo: Robert J. Cagnetta, Heritage Restoration, Inc.
  • Interior of the same front door show with the fan in the lower part of the door and other mechanical equipment attached to the upper part of the door.
    Recommended A blower door test is a useful tool to help identify air infiltration in a historic building before undertaking weatherization or retrofit treatments.
  • Interior view of a wood six-over-six window surrounded by wood trim.
    Recommended The original proportion and relationship of the wall to the windows and trim, which is important in defining the character of these historic interior spaces, has been retained here.
  • Detail of a plaster wall, wood window trim, and a wood window showing their relationship to each other.
    Recommended The original proportion and relationship of the wall to the windows and trim, which is important in defining the character of these historic interior spaces, has been retained here.
◀ ▶

Weatherization

Recommended
Not Recommended
Using a variety of analytical tools, such as a comprehensive energy audit, blower door tests, infrared thermography, energy modeling or daylight modeling, to gain an understanding of the building’s performance and potential before implementing any weatherization or retrofit treatments.
Implementing energy-retrofit measures without first diagnosing the building’s performance and energy needs.
Developing a weatherization plan based on the results of the energy analysis of the building’s performance and potential.
Eliminating infiltration first, beginning with the least invasive and most cost-effective weatherization measures, such as caulking and weather stripping, before undertaking more invasive weatherization measures.
Undertaking treatments that result in loss of historic fabric, for example, installing wall insulation that requires removing plaster, before carrying out simple and less damaging weatherization measures.